Nursing Schools in Hawaii
Hawaii has nine ADN and BSN programs and two advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) programs. The state's first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate runs near the national mark; in 2024 the national first-time pass rate for US-educated candidates was 91.2% (NCSBN). Every program below is accredited.
UH Hilo, one of the University of Hawai'i system's ten campuses, offers bachelor's and doctoral nursing degrees with an emphasis on rural and transcultural care. The four-year BSN opens with two years of general education and prerequisites; students apply for formal admission in the third year. An RN-to-BSN option runs one year.
- Program: Bachelor of science in nursing
- Campus: Hilo
- Type: Public
- Accreditation: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
- Tuition: $306 per credit (residents); $846 per credit (out-of-state)
- Admission requirements: High school diploma or equivalent, official transcripts, minimum 2.7 GPA
- NCLEX-RN pass rate: 73.5%
- Median earnings two years after graduation: $72,357 (bachelor's, College Scorecard)
UH Mānoa, established in 1907, is the oldest and largest campus in the system. Its school of nursing confers bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees. The BSN offers a four-year direct-entry path for high school graduates and a three-year plan for current UH Mānoa, transfer, and veteran students.
- Program: Bachelor of science in nursing
- Campus: Honolulu
- Type: Public
- Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
- Tuition: $471 per credit (residents); $1,389 per credit (out-of-state); $707 per credit (Pacific Island Jurisdiction and Western Undergraduate Exchange)
- Admission requirements: High school diploma or equivalent, official transcripts, minimum 3.0 GPA
- NCLEX-RN pass rate: 100%
- Median earnings two years after graduation: $70,710 (bachelor's, College Scorecard)
Chaminade University, the only Catholic university in Hawai'i and a federally designated Native Hawaiian-serving institution, offers a 132-credit direct-entry BSN for first-year and transfer students, plus a 24-month accelerated BSN for those who have finished prerequisites.
- Program: Bachelor of science in nursing
- Campus: Honolulu
- Type: Private
- Accreditation: CCNE
- Tuition: $34,294 per year
- Admission requirements: High school diploma or equivalent, official transcripts, minimum 2.5 GPA, written statement, letters of recommendation
- NCLEX-RN pass rate: 85.3%
- Median earnings two years after graduation: $62,343 (bachelor's, College Scorecard)
Hawai'i Pacific University, one of the most culturally diverse schools in the country, offers a four-year BSN along with LPN/LVN-to-BSN, RN-to-BSN, and a hospital-corpsman-to-BSN path for veterans, plus online and onsite graduate degrees.
- Program: Bachelor of science in nursing
- Campus: Honolulu
- Type: Private
- Accreditation: CCNE
- Tuition: $18,660 per semester
- Admission requirements: High school diploma or equivalent, official transcripts, list of extracurricular activities, personal statement
- NCLEX-RN pass rate: 86.7%
- Median earnings two years after graduation: $64,990 (bachelor's, College Scorecard)
UH Maui College, founded in 1931, offers an associate of science in nursing that transfers into UH Mānoa's BSN. Students can also exit at the practical nurse level with a certificate of achievement.
- Program: Associate of science in nursing
- Campus: Kahului
- Type: Public
- Accreditation: ACEN
- Tuition: $131 to $306 per credit (residents); $345 to $846 per credit (out-of-state); $197 to $459 per credit (Pacific Island Jurisdiction and Western Undergraduate Exchange)
- Admission requirements: Hawai'i resident, minimum C average, completed prerequisites, TEAS scores
- NCLEX-RN pass rate: 90.2%
- Median earnings two years after graduation: $61,020 (associate, College Scorecard)
How to Choose a Nursing Program in Hawaii
Weigh cost and financial aid, the school's NCLEX-RN pass rate, admission requirements and acceptance rate, and the program logistics. If you plan to study online, confirm you can find local clinical placement.
Why Become a Nurse in Hawaii
Hawaii is the most expensive state to live in, with a cost-of-living index of 185.6, nearly double the national mark of 100. Pay reflects that. The average RN salary is about $104,830, above the national RN median of $93,600, and the average NP salary about $118,780, below the national NP median of $129,210 (BLS, May 2024).
Demand stays high, driven by an aging population and Hawaii's appeal as a retirement destination. Faculty shortages at the state's nursing schools limit how many graduates the pipeline can produce, which keeps openings available.
Steps to Becoming a Nurse in Hawaii
Every nurse must graduate from an approved program, pass the relevant national exam, and clear a criminal background check. If you fail the NCLEX-RN three times, in Hawaii or any other state, you must complete a 60-hour remedial course before retaking it.
RN Requirements
Graduate from an ADN or BSN program and pass the NCLEX-RN. To apply, send the state board a copy of a government ID and your Social Security card, have your school send a sealed transcript, and submit fingerprints for a background check. Applications generally take 45 to 60 working days to process.
APRN Requirements
You need a current RN license, an MSN or DNP, and board certification in your specialty. Send a sealed official transcript, a copy of your Social Security card, and a government ID to the state board. Hawaii grants APRNs full practice authority.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I become a registered nurse in Hawaii?
Graduate from an approved ADN or BSN program, pass the NCLEX-RN, and clear a criminal background check. You submit a government ID, your Social Security card, a sealed transcript from your school, and fingerprints to the Hawaii Board of Nursing. Applications generally take 45 to 60 working days to process.
Is Hawaii a Nurse Licensure Compact state?
No. Hawaii does not participate in the Nurse Licensure Compact, so a multistate license from another state does not authorize practice in Hawaii. You apply directly to the Hawaii Board of Nursing for licensure by examination or endorsement.
What do registered nurses earn in Hawaii?
Hawaii RNs average about $104,830 a year, above the national RN median of $93,600 (BLS, May 2024). That pay reflects the country's highest cost of living, with a state index near 185.6 against the national baseline of 100.
Can nurse practitioners practice independently in Hawaii?
Yes. Hawaii grants APRNs full practice authority, so qualifying nurse practitioners can evaluate patients, diagnose, and prescribe without a supervising physician once they hold the required license and national certification.
What happens if I fail the NCLEX-RN in Hawaii?
If you fail the NCLEX-RN three times, in Hawaii or any other state, you must complete a 60-hour remedial course before you can retake the exam.
How does Hawaii's NCLEX pass rate compare nationally?
Hawaii's first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate runs near the national average. In 2024, the national first-time pass rate for US-educated candidates was 91.2% (NCSBN), and individual Hawaii programs in this guide range from the low 70s to 100%.